Vehicle air bag electrical system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle air bag electrical system including an air bag control module; electrical conductors connected to the control module; an electrical connector connected to the electrical conductors; and a filter circuit coupled to the electrical conductors. The filter circuit includes a plurality of capacitors provided as a module. The electrical connector is adapted to be connected to an air bag gas initiator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,860 filed Jun. 17, 2004 whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle electrical system and, moreparticularly, to vehicle air bag electrical system having a filtercircuit.

2. Brief Description of Prior Developments

U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,762 discloses an electrostatic discharge immuneelectric initiator. U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,953 discloses an orientationlesssquib connector assembly for automotive air bag assemblies. For afiltered connector intended to be used in a small space, such as anautomobile air bag connector, increasing the size of the connector isnot desired. U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,775, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, discloses a filtered electrical connectorwith multiple ferrite members.

Air bag electrical connectors which use ferrite hoods are good forfiltering electromagnetic interference around 500 MHz. However,automobiles are now being provided with electronics, such as mobiletelephones and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, which cangenerate electromagnetic interference in the area of about 2-4 GHz. Thiselectromagnetic interference can induce current in conductors leading toan air bag gas generator and cause an accidental discharge of the gasgenerator. There is a need to provide an air bag connector which canfilter electromagnetic interference above 2 GHz and thereby preventaccidental discharge of an air bag gas generator from such interference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle airbag electrical system is provided comprising an air bag control module;electrical conductors connected to the control module; an electricalconnector connected to the electrical conductors, wherein the electricalconnector is adapted to be connected to an air bag gas initiator; and afilter circuit coupled to the electrical conductors. The filter circuitcomprises a module having a plurality of capacitors.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a vehicleair bag electrical connector is provided comprising a housing;electrical contact terminals connected to the housing; and a filtercircuit in the housing which is electrically coupled to at least one ofthe electrical contact terminals. The filter circuit comprises a modulewith a plurality of capacitors.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a vehicleair bag electrical connector is provided comprising a housing;electrical contact terminals connected to the housing; and a filterassembly in the housing, wherein the filter assembly comprises a filtercircuit module comprising a plurality of capacitors, and means forelectrically coupling the filter circuit module to at least oneelectrical conductor connected to at least one of the electrical contactterminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention areexplained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle air bag electrical system incorporatingfeatures of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1attached to an air bag gas generator;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration components of an X2Y filter circuit;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating connection of the X2Y filter circuitshown in FIG. 5 to the two wires shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating charges in the X2Y filter circuit shownin FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating connection of the X2Y filter circuitshown in FIG. 5 to the two wires and a third conductor as a ground;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating charges in the X2Y filter circuit shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram similar to FIG. 1 of an alternate embodiment of avehicle air bag electrical system incorporating features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11A-11C are views of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention with a filter assembly in the air bag electrical connector;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of anelectrical connector incorporating features of the present inventionwith the housing cover removed;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of anelectrical connector incorporating features of the present inventionwith the housing cover removed;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the filter assembly shown in FIG.13 taken along line 14-14;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of another alternate embodiment of anelectrical connector incorporating features of the present inventionwith the filter circuit located between female contact sections of thecontact terminals;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of another alternate embodiment of anelectrical connector incorporating features of the present inventionwith the filter circuit located in the housing cover;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the connector shown in FIGS. 11A-11Cattached to a gas generator initiator;

FIG. 17A is a circuit diagram of the chip/module shown in FIG. 17attached to one terminal;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic circuit diagram showing the filter circuit ofthe filter assembly and how it affects induction in one of theterminals;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a filterassembly incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lead frame of the filter assemblyshown in FIG. 19 before bridging sections are removed and the housingmembers are overmolded onto the lead frame;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the lead frame as in FIG. 20 with thebridging sections removed and showing where the housing members areovermolded onto the separated lead frame sections; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view as in FIG. 21 showing the housing membersovermolded onto the lead frame to form a lead frame sub-assembly, andbefore the filter circuit is attached to the lead frame sub-assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified diagram of a vehicleair bag electrical system 1 incorporating features of the presentinvention. Although the present invention will be described withreference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it shouldbe understood that the present invention can be embodied in manyalternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape ortype of elements or materials could be used.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the electricalconnector 10 shown attached to an air bag gas generator 12. In alternateembodiments, the connector 10 could be attached to any suitable type ofgas generator or, to any other type of electrical or electroniccomponent. The connector 10, in this embodiment, is for use inconnecting electrical conductors 14, 15 with an initiator 37 in the airbag gas generator 12. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector 10generally comprises a housing 16 and electrical contact terminals 18.The connector 10 does not include prior art ferrite hoods or tubes.Instead, a filter assembly 20 (see FIG. 1) is provided which is intendedto replace the ferrite hoods. However, in alternate embodiments, thesystem 1 could additionally comprise one or more ferrite hoods toprovide additional filtering. The filter assembly 20 is provided at anair bag control module 2 of the system 1.

The control module 2 comprises a housing 3 and electronic components 4,such as a printed circuit board, inside the housing. The electroniccomponents 4 are coupled to sensors (not shown) around the vehicle. Thesensors can signal a vehicle collision to the electronic components 4.In the embodiment shown, the filter assembly 20 is directly connected toan exterior side of the control module housing 4. Thus, the filterassembly 2 can be added to a conventional control module without havingto modify the control module except to providing a connection point forthe filter assembly 20.

The conductors 14, 15 are electrically coupled to the electroniccomponents 4 inside the control module 2. Thus, the control module 2 cansend a signal via the conductors 14, 15 to the electrical connector 10to actuate the gas generator 12. The filter assembly 20 can be connectedbetween the electronic components 4 and the conductors 14, 15, or couldbe merely coupled to the conductors 14, 15. The filter assembly 20 couldbe directly connected to both the conductors 14, 15 or merely one of theconductors.

The filter assembly 20 preferably comprises multiple capacitors. In apreferred embodiment, the filter circuit comprises an X2Y module orfilter circuit manufactured and sold by X2Y Attenuators, LLC ofFarmington Hills, Mich. In a preferred embodiment the filter circuitcomprises two groups of capacitors. The first group of capacitorscomprises two capacitors connected in series. The second group ofcapacitors comprises a single capacitor. The first group of capacitorsis connected in parallel with the second group of capacitors. However,in alternate embodiments, the filter circuit could comprise more or lesscapacitors and the capacitors could be arranged in any suitable type ofcircuit configuration. As seen in FIG. 5, the X2Y module comprisesmulti-layered capacitors A, B and shield electrodes G to produce the X2Ymodule 5. The electrodes G form ground terminals G1 and G2.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show diagrams where the X2Y module 5 is used with the twoconductors 14, 15 (14 being the signal or power line and 15 being thereturn or ground line). Alternatively, ground contacts G1, G2 of thefilter circuit could be electrically insulated from the wire 15. Theother two contacts 134, 136 of the filter circuit are electricallycoupled to the wire 14. FIGS. 8 and 9 show diagrams where the X2Y module5 is used with three conductors; the two conductors 14, 15 and a ground17. These illustrations are given for descriptive purposes only andshould not be considered as limiting.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the present invention, such as inan air bag electrical connector, the ground G of the X2Y chip is notconnected to the return wire 15, and the contacts 134, 136 are connectedto the power wire 14. The capacitors of the X2Y chip are able to couplewith resistance in the wire 14 and parasitic capacitance in the wire 14.This is described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 17-18.

Unlike a conventional air bag connector having ferrite hoods which aregood at filtering electromagnetic induction interference at 500 MHz andbelow, the system 1 uses a filter assembly 20 to filter electromagneticinterference (EMI), which could otherwise cause an induction current, inthe range of about 2-4 GHz or below. In one exemplary embodiment, thefilter assembly has been used to filter electromagnetic interference inthe range of about 6 GHz and below. Features of the present inventionare intended to prevent an EMI discharge at an air bag gas generator 12.This is done by filtering electromagnetic induction current in theelectrical wires to the gas generator. Features of the present inventioncan provide an enhanced EMI suppression capability.

The housing 16 comprises a first housing piece 22 and a second housingpiece 24. The two housing pieces are preferably comprised of moldedplastic or polymer material. However, in alternate embodiments, anysuitable material(s) could be used. In an alternate embodiment, thehousing could be comprised of more or less than two housing pieces.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first housing piece 22 includes twocantilevered finger actuatable-deflectable latches 26, two separatereceiving areas 28, and two holes 30 through a bottom face 32 of thehousing into the receiving areas 28. However, in alternate embodiments,the latches 26 might not be provided. Alternatively, any suitable typeof latching system could be provided. The housing 16, at the bottom ofthe front section 34, is adapted to be plugged into a socket 36 (seeFIG. 2) of the initiator 37 of the gas generator 12. The latches 26 areadapted to latch with latch surfaces in the socket 36. optionally,additional connector position assurance means (not shown) can beprovided to prevent the connector 10 from accidentally being disengagedfrom the gas generator 12. The second housing piece 24 is preferablysnap lock mounted onto the first housing piece 22 after the contacts 18and filter assembly 20 are located in the receiving areas 28. However,in alternate embodiments, any suitable type of connection could beprovided. In addition, in alternate embodiments, other types of housingsor housing components could be provided.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the electrical contact terminals 18 eachcomprise a first connection section 38, a second female connectionsection 39, and a positioning section 40. Each first connection section38 forms a wire connection section for one of the wires 14, 15. However,in alternate embodiments, the terminals 18 could comprise additionalsections or sections which are shaped differently from the shapes shownin the drawings, such as co-axial terminals for example. Preferably, thecontact terminals 18 are comprised of stamped and formed sheet metal.However, in alternate embodiments, the contact terminals could becomprised of any suitable material(s) and/or could be formed by anysuitable contact manufacturing process.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the system 1 shown in FIG. 1.In this embodiment, the system 6 comprises the housing 3 and theelectronic components 4 inside the housing. The electronic components 4are coupled to the sensors (not shown) around the vehicle. In theembodiment shown, the X2Y module 5 is directly connected to theelectronic components 4, or one or both of the wires 14, 15, inside thecontrol module housing 4. This embodiment could use the three conductorcircuit shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The conductors 14, 15 are electrically coupled to the electroniccomponents 4 inside the control module 2. Thus, the control module 2 cansend a signal or power via the conductors 14, 15 to the electricalconnector 10 to actuate the gas generator 12. The filter assembly 20 canbe connected between the electronic components 4 and the conductors 14,15, or could be merely coupled to the conductors 14, 15. The filterassembly 20 could be directly connected to both the conductors 14, 15 ormerely one of the conductors.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In this embodiment the filter assembly 42 isprovided inside the air bag electrical connector 44. The electricalconnector 44 comprises a housing 46 and two electrical contact terminals18 substantially identical to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but with theaddition of the filter assembly 42. The filter assembly 42 comprises aprinted circuit board 48, two lead frames or contacts 50, and an X2Ymodule 5. The X2Y module 5 is mounted to the printed circuit board 48.The two lead frames 50 are also mounted to the printed circuit board 48.The printed circuit board 48 provides a circuit path from contacts ofX2Y module 5 to the lead frames 50. The lead frames 50 comprisedeflectable contact sections 52 which form spring contact areas forcontacting the contact terminals 18. The filter assembly 42 is locatedin a receiving area of the housing 46 and the terminals 18 are placedover the filter assembly 42 inside the receiving area. The printedcircuit board with the two cantilever beam contacts are placed in theterminal crimp area of the connector housing to provide contact to theterminals via the terminal crimp sections. A cover (not shown) of thehousing is then attached to the housing member 46 to enclosed theterminals 18 and perhaps press the terminals against the deflectablecontact sections 52 of the lead frames 50.

Referring also to FIGS. 17 and 17 a, an alternate embodiment is shownwherein the electrical connector 44′ provides a connection between thewires 14, 15 and the gas generator initiator 37. The filter assembly 42′is connected to the electrical path between the wire 14 and theinitiator 37 by leads 50 on only one connector terminal 18. Referringalso to FIG. 18, the electrical path between the wire 14 and the air baginitiators 37 is susceptible to electromagnetic inductions 91, 93, 95.The filter circuit 5 is connected by the connector leads 50 at the frontand rear of one of the induction areas 93. The filter circuit 5 helps tosuppress an induction current between the wire 14 and the air baginitiator 37. This helps to suppress an accidental initiation of theinitiator 37 from electromagnetic interference.

As seen in FIGS. 17 a and 18, in a preferred embodiment the filtercircuit 5 comprises two groups of capacitors. The first group ofcapacitors comprises two capacitors 87, 89 connected in series. Thesecond group of capacitors comprises a capacitor 85. The first group ofcapacitors is connected in parallel with the second group of capacitors.However, in alternate embodiments, the filter circuit 5 could comprisemore or less capacitors and the capacitors could be arranged in anysuitable type of circuit configuration. Ground G can be the terminal 18′with lead 50′ shown in FIG. 17, or another member (not shown) connectedto ground.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In this embodiment the filter assembly 54 is locatedinside the air bag electrical connector 56. The filter assembly 54comprises a printed circuit board 58 and an X2Y module 5. The electricalconnector 56 comprises two contact terminals 60. Each contact terminal60 comprises a deflectable lead frame 62. The deflectable lead frames 62are adapted to contact contact pads on the printed circuit board 58. Thelead frame can be the terminal ground plane and the retainer of thedevice. Overmolding of a housing component can be provided forinsulation. The lead frame can provide connection between the terminalsand the printed circuit board. Thus, this embodiment illustrates thatthe lead frames can be provided on the terminals rather than on thefilter assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, another alternate embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. In this embodiment the filter assembly 64 isprovided in the air bag electrical connector 66. In this embodiment thefilter assembly 64 is located in a front end 68 of the housing 70 whichis opposite from a rear end 72 of the housing 70. The electricalconductors 14, 15 (not shown in FIG. 13) extend through the rear end 72into the housing 70. The filter assembly 64 comprises a filter circuit 5and a lead frame 74. The lead frame 74 comprises two rearward extendingdeflectable contact sections 76 which extend into the receiving areas 78which receive the female contact sections 39 of the terminals 18 (notshown in FIG. 13). The deflectable contact sections 76 can directlycontact the female contact sections 39 of the contact terminals 18 whenthey are inserted into the receiving areas 78. The filter circuit 5 canbe located in a material saver open space 79 in the forward portion ofthe connector housing and provide contact with the terminals by metalstrips attached to the device.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. This embodiment comprises a filter circuit 5 locatedinside the housing 80 of the air bag electrical connector 82. Theelectrical connector 82 comprises two of the contact terminals 18. Thefemale connection sections 39 of the terminals 18 are located in thefront receiving areas 84 of the housing 80. The filter circuit 5 islocated between the two front receiving areas 84 and extends into thereceiving areas 84. Opposite ends of the filter circuit 5 contactrespective ones of the female connection sections 39. This embodimentillustrates that the filter circuit can be provided between the femaleconnection sections of the contact terminals and perhaps without a leadframe.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, another alternate embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. In this embodiment the air bag electricalconnector 86 comprises a housing having a base member 88 and a covermember 90. The electrical connector 86 comprises a filter assembly 92 onthe cover 90. The filter assembly 92 comprises a filter circuit 5 andelectrical contact sections 94. The filter circuit 5 could be connectedto the electrical contact sections 94 by a metalized surface on theplastic member forming the cover member 90. The contact sections 94 areadapted to electrically connect to the terminals 18 (not shown in FIG.16) or the wires 14, 15 (not shown in FIG. 16) when the cover member 90is mounted on the base member 88. The contact sections 94 could beformed at test probe holes through the cover member 90 which aresurrounded by downward plastic or polymer protrusions 96 which aremetalized. The probe hole area can be used as the lead frame on thecover to make contact with the terminals. Metalized plastic can be usedto attach the filter circuit 5 directly to the plastic and run traces toa terminal flat. The cover member could also be overmolded onto leadframe members and/or the filter circuit 5.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an alternate embodiment of a filter assemblyis shown. The filter assembly 100 comprises a lead frame 102, a filtercircuit 5, and overmolded housing members 106. The lead frame 102comprises a first end with two termination areas 108 and an oppositesecond end with a filter circuit mounting area 110. The terminationareas 108 can be connected to an electrical connector, or to anelectrical conductor(s) such as a wire or contact pad on a printedcircuit board. The termination areas 108 could have any suitable size orshape, and more or less than two termination areas could be provided.The filter circuit mounting area 110 has two opposing spring contactarms 112 which are adapted to capture the filter circuit 5 therebetween,such as with a removable connection for example, and make electricalcontact with the terminals 134, 136. The housing members 106 arepreferably overmolded onto portions of the lead frame 102 in front ofand behind the filter circuit mounting area 110.

As seen in FIG. 20, the lead frame is initially provided with sections114 which connect a center strip 116 to two side strips 118 at thefilter circuit mounting area 110. As seen in FIG. 21, the sections 114are removed from the strips 116, 118 and the plastic housing members areovermolded onto areas 120, 122 to physically connect the center strip116 to the two side strips 118. However, because the sections 114 areremoved, the center strip 116 is electrically separated from andinsulated from the side strips by the housing members 106 and the airgaps.

FIG. 22 shows the lead frame 102 and housing members 106 which form alead frame subassembly. The filter circuit 5 can now be removablymounted in the filter circuit mounting area 110 to complete the filterassembly as shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the filter circuit does not need tobe soldered to the lead frame, and the lead frame may be part of a leadframe assembly with one or more housing members. The sections 114 (seeFIG. 20) form cross-members which hold together the two terminationareas and the two spring contact arms before the housing members areconnected to the lead frame. When sections 114 are removed, threeindividual terminals 108, 108, 116 are provided that are held togetherby the two overmolded housing members 106. This allows discreteconnection of the three terminals 108, 108, 116 to a surface mountdevice's (SMD) terminal points (not shown).

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An electrical connector filter assembly comprising:an electrically conductive lead frame; a filter circuit connected to thelead frame; and an overmolded housing member which has been overmoldedonto the lead frame.
 22. An electrical connector filter assembly as inclaim 21 wherein the filter circuit comprises a module having aplurality of capacitors.
 23. An electrical connector filter assembly asin claim 21 wherein the lead frame is adapted to be directly connectedto terminals of an electrical connector.
 24. An electrical connectorfilter assembly as in claim 21 wherein the filter circuit is removablyconnected to the lead frame.
 25. An electrical connector filter assemblyas in claim 21 wherein the filter circuit comprises a first group ofcapacitors coupled in series to a second group of capacitors.
 26. Anelectrical connector filter assembly as in claim 25 wherein the secondgroup of capacitors comprises only a single capacitor.
 27. An electricalconnector filter assembly as in claim 21 wherein the lead framecomprises a filter circuit mounting area and two termination areas. 28.An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 27 wherein thefilter circuit mounting area comprises at least one spring contact armspring biased against the filter circuit.
 29. An electrical connectorfilter assembly as in claim 28 wherein the at least one spring contactarm comprises two spring contact arms which capture the filter circuittherebetween.
 30. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 21wherein the lead frame comprises strips which are mechanically connectedto each other by the overmolded housing member.
 31. An electricalconnector filter assembly as in claim 30 wherein the overmolded housingmember comprises at least two overmolded housing members connected tothe strips on opposite sides of a filter circuit mounting area of thelead frame.
 32. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 21wherein the lead frame comprises three spaced individual terminalsconnected to different contact areas of the filter circuit.
 33. Anelectrical connector filter assembly as in claim 32 wherein theovermolded housing member has been overmolded onto the three terminalsto connect the terminals to each other.
 34. An electrical connectorfilter assembly as in claim 33 wherein the filter circuit comprisesthree terminals connected to the three terminals of the lead frameassembly respectively.
 35. A method of manufacturing an electricalconnector filter assembly comprising: providing an electricallyconductive lead frame having a filter circuit mounting area, wherein thelead frame comprises three terminal sections; overmolding at least oneovermolded housing member onto the three terminal sections; severing thethree terminal sections from each other to form three spaced individualterminals; and connecting a filter circuit to the lead frame wherein twoof the terminals contact opposite ends of the filter circuit.
 36. Anelectrical connector filter assembly comprising: an electricallyconductive lead frame, wherein the lead frame is adapted to be directlyconnected to at least one conductor of an electrical connector; a filtercircuit connected to the lead frame, wherein the filter circuitcomprises a module having a plurality of capacitors; and an overmoldedhousing member which has been overmolded onto the lead frame.
 37. Anelectrical connector filter assembly as in claim 36 wherein the filtercircuit is removably connected to the lead frame.
 38. An electricalconnector filter assembly as in claim 36 wherein the filter circuitcomprises a first group of capacitors coupled in series to a secondgroup of capacitors.
 39. An electrical connector filter assembly as inclaim 38 wherein the second group of capacitors comprises only a singlecapacitor.
 40. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 36wherein the lead frame comprises a filter circuit mounting area and twotermination areas, wherein the filter circuit mounting area comprises atleast one spring contact arm spring biased against the filter circuit.41. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 40 wherein theat least one spring contact arm comprises two spring contact arms whichcapture the filter circuit therebetween.
 42. An electrical connectorfilter assembly as in claim 36 wherein the lead frame comprises stripswhich are mechanically connected to each other by the overmolded housingmember.
 43. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim 42wherein the overmolded housing member comprises at least two overmoldedhousing members connected to the strips on opposite sides of a filtercircuit mounting area of the lead frame.
 44. An electrical connectorfilter assembly as in claim 36 wherein the lead frame comprises threespaced individual terminals connected to different contact areas of thefilter circuit.
 45. An electrical connector filter assembly as in claim44 wherein the overmolded housing member has been overmolded onto thethree terminals to connect the terminals to each other.
 46. Anelectrical connector filter assembly as in claim 45 wherein the filtercircuit comprises three terminals connected to the three terminals ofthe lead frame assembly respectively.
 47. A vehicle air bag electricalconnector comprising: a housing; electrical contact terminals connectedto the housing; and a filter assembly in the housing, wherein the filterassembly comprises a filter circuit module comprising a plurality ofcapacitors, and at least one terminal section for electrically couplingthe filter circuit module to at least one electrical conductor connectedto at least one of the electrical contact terminals.